Keyhole-lock.



G. s. NIGKUM.

KEYHOLE LOGK. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3,1908;

961,250. Patented June 14,1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT :OFFIOE.

GEORGE S. NICKUM, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

KEYHOLE-LOCK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. NIOKUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Keyhole-Lock, of which the following is a specification.

This invention comprises a device which is adapted to be inserted into the key hole of a lock, and which, after being inserted, is locked in position in the key hole by means of key operated mechanism, which forms a part of the device, so that when the device is thus locked in position the key hole is plugged and it is impossible for either the regular key or skeleton key, pick, wire, or other tool, or device of any kind whatsoever to be inserted in the key hole for the purpose of unlocking the door. Neither can the device be removed from the key hole until it is first unlocked, because its construction is such that it is absolutely secured in position and positively retained against removal.

The device is especially adapted for the use of travelers or persons who occupy hotel rooms or other rooms which are generally fitted with locks having the old style key hole, and which are easily picked. The device is small and compact and may be readily carried in the pocket and itmay be sllpped into the key hole and locked therein ahnost instantly. Its removal from the key hole may be effected with equal facility.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of the coor and lock with the device inserted in the key hole and locked in position. A portion of the door and lock has been broken away to reveal the interior. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device with the key in place. Dotted lines show the jaw swung into locking position. Fig. 3 is a cross section on line a2 :c Fig. 2.

1 designates the ordinary lock with escutcheon plate 2.

3 designates the frame work of the look.

In its preferred form my invention comprises a hollow post 4, the outer end of which has a plate 5 to which is secured a lock casing 6. Rotatably mounted within the post 4 is a screw 7, one end of which has a disk 8 which is connected by a pin 9 with a rotatable barrel 10 which forms part of a lock located within the lock casing 6. This Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 3, 1908.

Patented June 14, 1910. Serial No. 451,611.

lock may be of any desired construction, as for example, the well known pin tumbler construction shown, in which 11 designates the pin tumblers pressed upwardly by springs 12, 13 being balls at the ends of the tumblers for contacting with the key 14. hen the key 14 is inserted the barrel 10 may be rotated by turning the key and thus the screw 7 will be revolved.

A jaw 15 is pivoted at 16 below the post 4 and has a lug 17 to which a U-shaped, fiat spring 18 is brazed, the free end of the spring bearing against the plate 5 and tending to swing the jaw 15 upwardly. The jaw 15 is provided with teeth 19 for engaging with the lock frame 3, as indicated in Fig. 1. The upper edge of the jaw 15 has an inclined portion 20 which contacts with a wedge 21 having a nut 22 which engages the screw 7. WVhen the screw 7 is rotated the nut 22 is moved along the screw and draws the wedge 21 along with it, thus swinging down the jaw 15, when the wedge is moved in one direction, and permitting the jaw to swing up under the action of spring 15 when the wedge 21 is moved in the other direction.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the wedge 21 projects down through a slot 23 formed in the lower part of the post 4, which slot serves as a guide for the wedge 21 and prevents the nut 22 from turning with the screw. A plug 24 closes the end of the post 4, being fastened by a pin 25.

The post 4 is adapted to fit in the upper part of the key hole while the jaw 15, substantially fills the lower part of the key hole. To insert the device the jaw 15 should be adjusted close to the post 4, and with the jaw in this position the device may readily be slipped into the key hole, so that plate 5 rests flatly against the escutcheon plate 2, and the key hole is thus plugged by the post 4 and jaw 15. Then with the key 14 inserted, the lock is rotated several times to draw the wedge 21 forward and tilt down the jaw 15 to cause the latter to engage with some part of the lock or frame, for example, as indicated in Fig. 1. The downward pressure of the jaw 15 causes a reactive upward pressure of the post 4 against the upper part of the key hole, and thus the device is wedged in place. The teeth 19 of the jaw prevent the device from being pulled out in one direction, while wedged in the key hole;

while the plate 5 and lockframe 6 prevent the device from being moved through the key hole in the other direction as the plate 5 abuts against the escutcheon 2. To release the device the key 14 is inserted in the lock and barrel 10 is rotated to operate screw 7 and move the wedge 20 reversely, whereupon the spring 18 expands and tilts the jaw 15 upwardly out of engagement with the lock frame 5 and thus disengages the device from the key hole.

It is apparent that when this device is within the key hole it will be impossible for any one to open the lock with the regular key or pick the lock, because the key hole is eflectually plugged and prevents the en trance of keys, picks, wires, or other devices.

hat I claim is:

1. In a key -hole guard, a round post adapted. to fit the up er part of the key-hole, a jaw plate mounte to swing with respect to the post and projecting laterally therefrom and adapted to fit the lower part of the keyhole, said aw plate being provided with teeth for retaining the guard in the key-hole, and key controlled means connect ed to the post for moving said jaw plate outwardly with respect to the post to force it into retaining position.

2. A post, a jaw pivoted adjacent the post, a screw rotatable within the post, a wedge bearing against said aw and having a nut on said screw, and key controlled means for turning said screw.

3. A post adapted to be inserted in a key hole, a lock casing attached to the outer end of said post and adapted to abut against the escutcheon, a jaw pivoted to the lock casing, a screw rotatable in the post, a wedge operated by the screw and bearing against the jaw, and a lock in the lock casing connected with the screw for turning the screw.

4. A post, a jaw mounted to swing with respect to the post, a wedge slidable along the post and bearing against the jaw for swinging down the jaw, a spring for swinging the jaw upward, and key controlled means for sliding said wedge.

5. A key-hole guard comprising a tubular post having a slot along one side, a member slidably mounted in said tubular post and formed with a wedge projecting laterally from the post through said slot, a jaw plate pivotally mounted on the post and having an inclined portion for engaging said wedge portion and provided on its lower face with a series of teeth to retain the guard in place, spring means operating on said jaw plate to press the same toward the post, a screw extending in the tubular post and screwing in said wedge member to move the same 1011- gitudinally of the post on rotation of the screw, and key-controlled means for operation of said screw.

6. A key-hole guard comprising a tubular post having a slot along one side, a member slidably mounted in said tubular post and formed with a wedge projecting laterally from the post through said slot, a jaw plate pivotally mounted on the post and having an inclined portion for engaging said wedge portion and provided on its lower face with a series of teeth to retain the guard in place, spring means operating on said jaw plate to press the same toward the post, a screw extending in the tubular post and screwing in said wedge member to move the same longitudinally of the post on rotation of the screw, key-controlled means for operation of said screw comprising a case connected to the post, a barrel rotatably mounted in said case and having rotative engagement with said screw, and tumbler mechanism in said barrel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 27th day of August, 1908.

GEORGE S. NICKUM.

In presence of G. T. HAOKLEY, FRANK L. A. GRAHAM. 

